i do realize that bees will be bees, but again i have found queen cells, this time about 10, nearly all are capped over. within the hive is a good full frame brood patterns with 5 deep frames both sides covered. No. I did not spot the queen, plenty of room for expansion, good flow right now, 3 deeps, top is empty foundationless frames. i know they don't need a reason, but am curious for info. if it was june i would try making some nucs, but this is Wisconsin, 8/20
possible but seemed to be brood in various stages. how quick can they build and seal a queen cell?? just cause i didn't see her doesn't mean she isn't there. case in point for all to learn..i am no pro but can find queens when looking for them. the hive next to the one in question, while spreading frames i spotted the queen heading to the bottom of the frame, i picked it up and looked for her, nothing, maybe she dropped the lower box. i went through both those boxes twice and never found her. she taught me a lesson. gotta love it!!
Queens can and will drop off of the frames entirely onto the baseboard during an inspection if they're getting particularly aggravated. So yes, it is entirely possible to look at every single frame and not see the queen and her still be there.
thanks Edymnion, i was wondering if that may have been the case, the bottom and sides of box were covered with bees and that isnt like holding a frame up in front of you.
Lots of really late swarms going on here in the midwest.... I have 2 hanging right now. makes about a dozen in the last two weeks. I quit watching for them in aug....
When you say they have plenty of room, is there room in the broodnest? You need to make sure there is room in the broodnest for the queen to lay eggs. Space above capped honey may not be considered part of the hive by the bees.
I think its the weather... we really have not had a summer... real cool, like a spring with a dearth.. now the fall flow is going and they think its a late spring... But its just a guess... I had 2 more last night
That sounds reasonable. It seems like they would be sensitive to shortening days or something. It seems very maladaptive to me.
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